Starting issues

My 73 bug doesn't want to start. I'm getting power but it won't start. I can push start it and it works every time. I replaced battery leads also. Could the brushes in the solenoid not connecting power to the starter to turn the motor over?

take a test light and check to see if there is power to the small wire on the starter when you turn the key . you can jump across the small wire to the hot wire to see if starter is working

Sounds like the solenoid. Sometimes tapping the starter with a hammer will get it to work. Likely that you'll need a new starter though.

ridikas wrote:My 73 bug doesn't want to start. I'm getting power but it won't start. I can push start it and it works every time. I replaced battery leads also. Could the brushes in the solenoid not connecting power to the starter to turn the motor over?

I was having the same problem with my '73 thing.
I had gotten the engine tuned up and driven it in the yard, etc.
Then one day bamo, nothing.
Turns out one of the clips in the plug to the ignition switch is loose and had worked itself off the terminal.
Fixed it and presto all better....
Just check the plug on the back of the ignition switch and see if any are corroded or loose.
KC

I'll check both. It's been doing this off and on for about 6 months. Finally it just quit all together. lol

Most of my cars have done the same thing and if everything is still hooked up then I would put a relay on it....Putting a relay in gets you full power to the solenoid.....O.B. has a bad ignition switch in it and with the relay it still cranks

I'll check the ignition switch first.

Same problem with my 79 Transporter, ended up being the ignition switch. Came off my original switch and installed a push button start in dash. Wanted to keep my original key...

Changed ignition switch and still won't start. I ordered a starter today

Put in a hard start relay / napa store part # ST1 / the wiring in late model cars is crap after 30 years. this should fix your problem http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=10&ved=0CFcQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.vwvortex.com%2Fshowthread.php%3F2593146-Starter-relay-for-heatsoak-problems&ei=2tPVUd6fDYzc8wT6oIHYDA&usg=AFQjCNGmnNek--defBkiVEloOw1LfeE9Rg follow the wiring layout will reduce 18 ft or wire from your key to starter down to 1 ft

Installed new starter, it works perfect!